Title: No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding
Author: Catherine Mack
Series: The Vacation Mysteries #2
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Rating: 3.25
Pub Date: May 13, 2025

I received complimentary eARC and ALCs from St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Conversational • Breezy • Chaotic

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Attending your best friend’s wedding should be a piece of (wedding) cake, but not for Eleanor Dash, bestselling author of the Vacation Mysteries series. Because murder seems to follow her every time she goes on vacation and is definitely her uninvited plus-one to the special occasion.

Emma Wood, Eleanor’s best friend since childhood, is starring in the movie adaptation of When in Rome, Eleanor’s first novel. Emma is also marrying Fred Winters, a major movie star and Emma’s co-star, who just happens to be playing Connor Smith, Eleanor’s ex and leading man of the series.

Filming wraps and they invite the whole cast and crew to their wedding at nearby Catalina Island. There may be a storm headed their way—because of course there is—but nothing will stop their nuptials . . . that is until Emma receives a note that says 'Someone is going to die at the wedding.'

Eleanor is a professional at this point, and she’ll do everything she can to uncover the murderer so true love can prevail . . . before it’s too late for her and the rest of the storm-trapped wedding party.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies, Book 1 in The Vacation Mystery series from Catherine Mack was a fun-filled escape with a entertaining cast of characters, so I was excited to receive an early reader copy of Book 2, No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding, ahead of publication. I was expecting more of the same in the continuation of this cozy mystery series.

Eleanor is back and finds herself in a host of new outlandish situations and engaging in funny antics. Footnotes don't always work for me, yet here the snarky tone of Eleanor's internal thoughts really help move the story along and provide much needed comic relief. It's these footnotes that make it seem as though the narrator and the reader are the only one privy to these important details.

Elizabeth Evans returns with another fantastic performance as Eleanor on audio, capturing both the humour and charm of the story. She has distinct voices for each of the various characters and makes good use of a variety of accents. I definitely thought the narration brings the story to life in a way simply reading the words wouldn't.

Overall, No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding was a fun palette cleanser between a couple of more serious books with a large cast of charming characters. It's the perfect lighthearted read for summer or vacation. For anyone thinking of picking it up, the series should definitely be read in order to get the full experience and get to know the characters. I look forward to seeing what Eleanor and company get up to next.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• cozy mysteries
• fun summer reads
• breaking the fourth wall

⚠️ CW: death, murder, blood

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"It's my personal belief that the only people who hate weddings are sociopaths. Because they are in a room full of people they have to pretend in front of."

Author Eleanor Dash is back as her best selling novel is being turned into a movie with her childhood best friend Emma in the starring role. At the end of filming, Emma is set to marry her co-star Fred on Catalina Island, but soon they get a mysterious note that warns someone will die at the wedding, as they also face incoming storm warnings. Eleanor is ready to solve this case but she may have to partner up with someone she hoped to never work with again. There’s humor, romance, and plenty of high stakes.
This was a fun read but I sometimes didn’t enjoy the narrator’s direct speaking to the reader outside of the rest of the story-but that’s my personal preference! The audiobook narration was great and brought this fun story to life.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Eleanor Dash is back for another crazy adventure! I loved the first book and this one did not disappoint. They complete the taping of her first book coming to life on the screen and the whole crew goes to an island for a secret weeding. The stars of the show, Emma Wood and Fred Winters' , have scheduled their weeding. At the beginning a death threat is made but unsure of who the target might be. Eleanor, of course thinks that tit is her. This one is just as funny and quirky as the first book, and I still would love to read the book, "When in Rome," that is the subject of this installment as well.


Overall the story was funny and crazy at times but the narrator did a great job reading this book. I love a good audiobook, so I finished this one in two days.

Thank you to #Netgalley and Macmillan Audio. for the advanced listening copy.

I fell in love with the way this story was told. The author truly made it an immersive listen like she is telling a story directly to the listener. The quirk, banter and wittiness had me chuckling to myself consistently. I felt like I was living out a childhood dream of being caught in the middle of a "clue" mystery.

If you're looking for a fun, new take on a murder mystery I highly suggested you pick this up!

Thank you NetGalley & MacMillian Audio for the advance listen!

Thank you @macmillanaudio for the gifted audiobook! I fell in love with this writing style and this main character when I read Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies. The teaser at the end of the book had me hooked and I cannot wait for more escapades in this series. It’s a much different dynamic and a smaller setting, a stark contrast to the first book. The entire novel takes place within one wedding week/weekend, & it’s clear that someone is out to get the bride and/or groom and it’s up to our amateur sleuth/murder-mystery author heroine to solve the crime and save the day once again.

There was a lot happening and many misdirects - the mystery kept me on my toes this time and with the smaller setting and seemingly fewer characters it was nice to have so many possibilities that could have made sense. I loved the callbacks to the first book, and seeing Eleanor and Oliver’s relationship growth (tbh I’m worried the love triangle isn’t done yet though) was nice. I’m excited for more to come in this series!

Not as good as the first, but certainly not bad!

WOW what a book! I’m enjoying this series so much. This book was crazy good. So. Many. Twists!! And that ending! I was hooked from the start.

Eleanor is a favorite. She’s so snarky and to the point. I enjoy so much how Mack writes her and the other characters. I really enjoy breaking the fourth wall narrative. And that adds so much to the story and makes it so fun. I need to find more books to read with it while I wait as patiently as I can for the next book in this series.

Mack does a great job of throwing the reader off the trail and just when you think it’s safe, it’s not. I love this in a book.

The audio narrator is quickly coming a favorite. Elizabeth Evans performs these characters so well. I love how she plays Eleanor, and she does a great job with accents. And her tone sets the pace for this great book.

The story is fast-paced and the setting of the hurricane also adds well to the drama.

I received a NetGalley approval from the publisher for the audio. All views are my own.

BIG THANKS to my besties at Macmillan Audio for the approval to read number 2 in the Vacation Mysteries series! I thought the first book was hilarious and fun (I guess the murders weren't 'fun' lol) and number 2 "No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding" is no different!

Anticipated pub: May 13th!

I love the narrator for the audiobook, she brings Eleanor Dash's signature snark so well to the production. The narration, including the footnotes, is so fun in this series. Eleanor talks directly to the reader in a unique (to me) storytelling format which really brings the reader into the mystery and the storyline. It's like we're right there with the characters trying to solve the murders.

The story starts with a lot of new characters, everyone involved in the making of the movie based on Eleanor's first book. Some of the favorites from book 1 are present in this story as well. The aspect of the movie playing a part (maybe?) in the current mystery was a different and interesting aspect which brought up doubts for many of the characters and what their role could be in the murder. I liked how Eleanor took each character's role in the movie-making as what could be part of their motives. I did not see where this one was headed. By the end, this story gets really convoluted lol so buckle in folks. It didn't take away from the enjoyment for me as this works really well for the cozy mystery vibes this series has going on. The scenery descriptions in this one were amazing, just as in book 1.

There's a scene at the end that hints at book 3, if that comes to be I'll definitely be planning to grab it!

Why did this book not hit?

I loved the first book in the series, it was giving major Finlay Donavon vibes, which I was so here for. However I found it so hard to care about any of these characters or what was happening with their stories. I don't think that I will be continuing on in the series, because I did not have a fun time with this one.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me this early audio arc.

No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding - Catherine Mack
Pub Date - 5/13/25
Rating - 3/5
Thoughts - Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for this gifted advanced elistener copy in exchange for my honest review. This book is a very interesting cozy mystery set on Catalina Island. The main character, Eleanor, is a best selling author of the Vacation Mystery Series, who writes her books based on her real life. One of those books, When In Rome, is finishing up filming at the beginning of this book, leading the reader into a wedding weekend. Eleanor is the maid of honor at this wedding since the bride is her childhood best friend and lead actress in the movie. Since death seems to always follow Eleanor, naturally someone dies.

This was a very witty and fun book! It gives Finlay Donovan vibes, which is a series I absolutely love. The story, plot, and events were well written and the audiobook was enjoyable. I felt like the story could have moved a little faster, which is why i gave it a lower rating. Overall, great story, and will definitely be checking out the first installation to this series.

Book 2 in The Vacation Mysteries series was a hit! I just LOVE the FMC, Eleanor- and her footnotes! Eleanor is super witty, and had me laughing out loud through the whole book! I thought this storyline was really unique, and the pacing worked really well. I was able to fly through this book, and DID NOT predict the twists. I'm hoping there are more stories in this series, because I really enjoy them.
I listened to this on audio, and thought it was really well done. The narrator did a fantastic job!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This book had me at the title—and kept me with the witty humor and the perfectly chaotic wedding weekend vibes. I mean, who doesn’t love a murder mystery with champagne, petty bridesmaids, and a body count?

The audiobook was a total treat. The narration brought out all the snark and suspense, and I felt like I was right there, trying to guess who did it while also side-eyeing the cake table.

That said, whew—there were a lot of characters. Like, A LOT. At times I felt like I needed a seating chart just to keep track. Some personalities blended together, which made the mystery a little hard to follow in parts.

Still, the clever writing and chaotic energy kept me invested. If you’re into murder with a side of bridal drama and biting one-liners, this one is worth RSVPing “yes” to—just maybe bring a notepad.

Eleanor Dash is back and she's just as witty as before... honestly, her little footnotes make these books, they are so funny and it feels like she is breaking the "4th wall". I enjoyed this book as it was fun but it felt like a lot of talking, accusing each other of murder, and inner-thought monologue rather than things actually happening on the page. It kind of felt like "Clue" when the characters run from room to room to discuss the crimes and then the lights go off and someone else is dead. I think that troupe can be very fun and it was well done in this book. I was also very pleasantly surprised by the ending twist - I honestly did not see it coming. I am excited to read the next installment from Eleanor Dash! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack

Thank you, NetGalley, for the advanced copy of No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding by Catherine Mack. This is book two in the series, and it absolutely delivers on the charm, humor, and suspense that fans of cozy mysteries crave.

Once again, Mack brings her signature blend of wit and murder to the table. I continually get Finlay Donovan meets Hannah Swenson vibes—a quirky, slightly reluctant sleuth caught up in a web of crime, but with plenty of heart and hilarious moments along the way. The characters are endearing, the dialogue is sharp, and the twists are well-timed to keep you turning the pages.

This installment amps up the stakes with a wedding backdrop gone wildly wrong, and the result is a fun, fast-paced read that balances lighthearted antics with a clever mystery.

I’m already looking forward to the next book in this delightful series. Cozy mystery lovers, don’t miss this one!

5 Stars – A Killer Sequel That Delivers All the Twists, Laughs, and Taylor Swift Magic

Second books in a murder mystery series can be tricky—so many of them crumble under the pressure of trying to recapture the magic of the first. But not this one. No One Was Supposed to Die at This Wedding holds its own and then some. It’s just as fun, fast-paced, tension-filled, and smart as the first book, with every twist and turn keeping me absolutely hooked.

I devoured this story. Every reveal felt like the perfect blend of gasp-worthy and clever, and I had the best time along the way. And as a Swiftie? I was thriving. The Taylor Swift references sprinkled throughout were absolute gold—especially if, like me, you’re also obsessed with Catherine Mack’s Taylor theory videos on Instagram. It was such a delight seeing her love for Taylor seamlessly folded into the narrative. It added so much personality and charm in a way that felt so naturally her.

And can we talk about the breaking of the fourth wall? It’s just so smart and so fun—it makes the whole reading experience feel like you’re inside the mystery, tagging along and whispering your own theories in real time.

Now let’s talk about the audiobook, which was chef’s kiss perfection. Elizabeth Evans is a queen. I first fell in love with her narration through Throne of Glass and Crescent City, so of course I had to play my little game of “Which SJM character voice is this?” as I listened. It’s honestly such a fun way to listen—like a bonus Easter egg for fellow fantasy nerds.

This book had everything I wanted—banter, chaos, suspense, killer reveals, a wedding with a lot more drama than anyone planned, and of course, pop culture brilliance. I cannot wait to see what comes next in this series. Catherine Mack is on fire.

This was a really good book. As good as the first! I knew who was responsible (at least partially) from near the beginning, but I definitely enjoyed how the author got there, nonetheless. The characters were hilarious, once again. I can't wait for the next book!

# Thank You, NetGalley, for the Audiobook ARC of *No One Was Supposed to Die at this Wedding*

The second installment in this clever series follows Eleanor as she wraps up filming for her movie adaptation of *When In Rome*, all while preparing for her best friend's wedding. However, a vacation wouldn't be complete without a touch of murder and mystery.

The *Vacation Mysteries* Series has been an absolute delight, and the latest book certainly lives up to expectations! Its unique style and format make this series truly stand out. I adore Eleanor; her humor and the book itself bring so much joy!

Fun read and great characters. I liked that although the plot is serious, murder, the characters and vibe seems light and like a good time. Perfect murder mystery that is not thriller and a great quick read. Although fine as a standalone, right away made me want to read the first book in the series. Elizabeth Evans did a great job narrating.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the arc.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC audiobook.
It was good. It kept me engaged and I laughed out loud a few times.
I enjoyed the narration.
I will recommend to my cozy mystery reading friends.

I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS SERIES!!
I loved the first book and the second one was just as great. This is a fun and silly book that is so entertaining. I love how the relationships between the characters keep evolving and the setting of this cozy mystery was perfect. The narration brought the story to life. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend a rainy Sunday! Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy, I literally yelped in delight when I was approved! Look out for the release of this book on May 13, 2025.

I loved this book! It kept me engaged and excited to see where it was going the whole time. All the twists and turns were good. Eleanor at some point suspected almost everyone and each time I thought, “oh she’s nailed it now”. —- but then it would get disproven almost immediately… I enjoyed it!

I really liked how I felt along for the ride. Often, with murder mystery books there is a lag throughout where it gets kind of boring. I didn’t feel that way at all.